Kacey Musgraves honored the late Dolly Parton during the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night, returning to the VMAs stage for the first time in five years, with a performance of “I Will Always Love You.”
The tribute began with archival footage of Parton, dressed in black, delivering one of her characteristically wry lines: “Don’t criticize your wife’s judgment. Just remember who she married.” The mood then shifted as Parton offered a more tender message: “I wish you joy and wish you lots of happiness, but above all I wish you love,” before breaking into her beloved song. Musgraves began harmonizing with Parton’s recorded voice as the video played, before the footage faded away and left her alone to carry the soaring ballad.
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Accompanied only by a single piano, Musgraves kept the arrangement sparse and intimate. She also paid tribute to Parton visually, taking the stage in a sparkling red bodysuit with her hair teased high and her makeup evoking the country legend’s famous glamour. The stripped-down nature of the performance put the focus almost entirely on Musgraves’ voice and Parton’s words, turning the composition into a quiet farewell.
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The tribute comes just over a month after Parton died on August 25th at the age of 80. In the days following her death, Musgraves paid tribute to the country legend during a Boston concert by performing Parton’s 1977 hit “Here You Come Again.” She also mourned Parton on social media, writing, “Dolly. This really really hurts. The world feels a lot less sparkly all of a sudden.”
Sunday’s appearance marked Musgraves’ first VMA performance since she performed “star-crossed” at the 2021 ceremony. She entered this year’s show with her third career VMA nomination, earning a Best Country nod for “Dry Spell.”
Musgraves is currently on the road supporting her 2026 album, Middle of Nowhere, with dates running through late October. Look for deals and sold-out tickets here (fans can save $20 off their first order of $200 or more by using promo code COS20 at checkout.)
Kacey Musgraves pays tribute to Dolly Parton at the #VMAs with a cover of “I Will Always Love You.”
(via CBS/MTV/VMAs) pic.twitter.com/mORHb9t9lh
— Variety (@Variety) September 28, 2026
